Guild Wars 2 Ranger Build Guide: Longbow/Greatsword Read The Wind

In this guide we provide players with the current Meta build for Guild Wars 2's Longbow Ranger.

This build is designed for Conquest Structured Player versus Player

Overview

My main class in Guild Wars 2 is a Ranger and although I use a Longbow and Greatsword in PvE, it’s actually an incredibly powerful build in PvP as well. I will forewarn however that you’ll likely receive quite a fair bit of abuse for using this build. It’s primarily because the build is “cheesy” as it’s so easy to be effective with. Using Rapid Fire alone will often allow you to kill many players in the blink of an eye. However, the build can be countered easily and if you want to survive for long periods you’ll have to become very skilled with the Greatsword.
Weapon Sets and Skills

Sigil Variants

Runes and Amulet

Rune Variants

Play and Usage

As you might expect, using the Longbow at maximum range is an asset. It has a range of 1500 meters and its arrows fire so fast that you’ll rarely miss your target. That doesn’t mean you’re weak when within melee range however as your Greatsword can be used defensively or offensively thanks to its Counterattack skill or Sigil of Intelligence combined with Maul.

Ranged Spike

If you want to maximise your burst, you’ll need to use Rampage As One and Signet of the Wild together. You should also have your endurance full to make maximum use of Steady Focus trait. To ensure that all your Rapid Fire hits, you should attempt to immobilize the opponent with your Spider or hit them when you know they’ve dodged twice. If necessary and if you’re far enough away, you can use Point Blank Shot to knock them down and then unload Rapid Fire. Ensuring that players are incapable of avoiding the spike is key to quickly dealing over 9,000 damage in a few brief seconds.

Greatsword Utility

Although the Greatsword is capable of dealing massive damage, it’s primarily used for utility. Swoop allows you to quickly escape while Counterattack is capable of blocking all attacks, including conditions. Using Hilt Bash to trigger Moment of Clarity, followed by Maul allows for some frightening damage. I’ve killed a Thief in one shot before.

Pets

Your pets are incredibly important. You should be using your Wolf to trigger its pounce to knock opponents down and trigger your Spider to immobilize them. Your pets will use these skills as their first attack when they’re called into combat. Use your Wolf’s Fear when you’re down or to stop other players stomping. You can use the Fear to keep players away from you so you can gain distance. Lastly, use your Spider’s Immobilize skill when you have your bow equipped. It takes a few seconds to activate so you should prime it.

Surviving

Despite being a total glass cannon it’s actually very possible to survive for long periods of time as a Longbow Ranger. The first thing you’ll need to do is ensure you save Hunter’s Shot and Point Blank Shot. These are two very powerful skills. The former stealths you and allows you to reposition or switch to Greatsword and Swoop away. Point Blank Shot knocks your opponents back a considerable distance allowing you to once again switch to Greatsword and use Swoop. Once you’ve used up these skills you should be utilising Counterattack, your Wolf’s Fear or your Spiders immobilise. Lastly, using Rampage As One defensively is also possible. It provides Stability and Swiftness so it’s relatively easy to run away when using it if you set your pet on your opponent.

About The Author

The only game to have distracted Lewis away from MMOG's over the last 15 years was Pokemon Red. Despite that blip, Lewis has worked his way through countless games in the genre in search of something that comes close to his much loved (and long time dead) Neocron. Having written for several gaming networks before Ten Ton Hammer, Lewis likes to think he knows a thing or two about what makes an MMOG and its player-base tick.